The Enugu State Government has received ₦1.27 billion recovered from Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited following an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into funds paid for the stalled Smart Green Schools project.
Governor Peter Mbah confirmed that the funds were returned to the state on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, describing the recovery as the first tranche of monies being restituted to the government.
He said the amount has been paid into the state’s accounts and will be applied to ongoing education infrastructure development.
The recovery is connected to a ₦11.46 billion contract awarded to Sujimoto on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across Enugu State.
Under the agreement, the project was expected to be completed within six months.
State officials said the government paid approximately ₦5.7 billion as mobilisation for the project. However, concerns arose over the pace and scope of work at the project sites, prompting the state to initiate internal reviews.
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Following inspections conducted in May 2025, the Enugu State Government formally petitioned the EFCC to investigate the handling of funds paid to the contractor. The anti-graft agency subsequently commenced investigations and recovery processes.
The return of ₦1.27 billion marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to recover public funds linked to the project.
State authorities said discussions and legal processes aimed at recovering the remaining sums are continuing.
Governor Mbah reiterated his administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency in the management of public resources, stressing that the government would pursue full recovery of all funds tied to the abandoned project while ensuring that education infrastructure remains a priority for the state.